News Releases

Lander honors students for extracurricular achievements

May 23, 2012

Pictured are Lander senior mass communication major Kirsten Stewart, left, of Spartanburg, recipient of the President's Award, and Lander President Dr. Daniel Ball.

Lander University recently honored its cocurricular standouts for the 2011-12 school year, presenting student life awards to the university's top students and student organizations. The awards were announced during Lander's annual Academic and Student Life Awards ceremony.

Lander President Dr. Daniel Ball presented senior mass communication major Kirsten Stewart with the prestigious President's Award, given annually in recognition of unique exemplification of the ethic of service to the university community.

A Spartanburg resident, Stewart is a Presidential Ambassador and has played on the Lander volleyball team. In addition to working in the President's Office, Stewart has spent time as a volunteer with Relay for Life, March of Dimes, AmeriCorps and The Haven Shelter. She "has consistently demonstrated a love of learning and a love of Lander University," Ball said during the presentation.

Pictured, from left, are: Rhett Sapough, Lander University Man of the Year, a junior business administration major from Clarkesville, Ga.; Megan McCartney, Lander Woman of the Year, a senior early childhood education major from Laurens; and Randy Bouknight, Lander vice president for Student Affairs.

Pictured, from left, are: Kenneth Peppers, Lander University Greek Man of the Year, a junior athletic training major from Greenwood; Shelby Dominick, director of Student Activities; and Paige Kight, Lander Greek Woman of the Year, a senior nursing major from Florence.

Lander's Man and Woman of the Year awards were presented to junior Rhett Sapough, a business administration major from Clarkesville, Ga., and Laurens resident Megan McCartney, a senior early childhood education major.

Sapough is a member of Presidential Ambassadors, the Lander Professional Business Society, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Chi Alpha Omega, the Student Government Association and the Blue Key Honor Society. Earlier this year, he was elected Lander's Homecoming King.

McCartney is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, the Palmetto State Teacher's Association, Blue Key Honor Society, Chi Sigma, National Panhellenic Council, Cocurricular Committee, Residence Hall Association and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. A resident assistant and Presidential Ambassador, she served as Lander's 2010 Homecoming Queen.

Greek Man and Woman of the Year awards were presented to junior athletic training major Kenneth Peppers, of Greenwood, and senior nursing major Paige Kight, of Florence.

Peppers is a member of Alpha Tau Omega, in which he serves as social service chairman. As a member of ATO, he has volunteered with numerous community organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.

Kight, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, is also a member of the Blue Key Honor Society, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society and the Lander University Student Nurses Association. She has volunteered with organizations such as the Immanuel Lutheran Church Soup Kitchen and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Other awards presented during the ceremony were:

Student Organization of the Year - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.;

Student Organization Program of the Year - "Crazy in Love with Domestic Violence," by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.;

Community Service Organization of the Year - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.;

Student Organization Adviser of the Year - Dr. Rebecca Cox-Davenport, instructor of nursing and adviser for the Lander University Student Nurses Association;

Resident Assistant of the Year - Demario Watts, a senior sociology major from Clinton;

At the Lander University Academic and Student Life Awards Ceremony, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was recognized for outstanding civic and community service, receiving the 2011-12 Organization of the Year and Community Service Organization of the Year awards, as well as the American Democracy Project Student Organization of the Year for Civic Engagement Award. Over the past academic year, the group accumulated numerous hours of participation in community service projects, including 48 hours with Adopt-a-Highway, 44 hours with Habitat for Humanity; 35 hours with Adopt-a-Class fifth-grade mentorship, and 28 hours with the YMCA Fall Festival/Halloween celebration. The group also organized fundraisers and canned good drives for local nonprofits. Representing Delta Sigma Theta are, pictured from left: Jalissa Oaks, Jasmine Rhinehart and Allyssa Eaddy; and Rhia Macklin, second from right. Also pictured are: Shelby Dominick, Lander director of Student Activities, third from right; and Rodney Jones, admissions counselor.

Lander senior Demario Watts, a sociology major from Clinton, received the Resident Assistant of the Year Award at the annual Lander University Academic and Student Life Awards ceremony. Watts was recognized for his exceptional leadership as a resident assistant and his friendliness and cooperation with fellow students. Pictured are Watts, center, with Cindy Dysart, left, Lander director of Housing and Residence Life, and Chandler Darling, associate director of Housing.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. received the 2011-12 Program of the Year Award at Lander's annual Academic and Student Life Awards ceremony. The group was recognized for their program, "Crazy in Love with Domestic Violence," which highlighted the growing issue of spousal abuse and featured a presentation on domestic violence. Accepting the award for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. are, pictured front row from left: Alexia Pringle, of Greenville; Rayshawn Trapp, of Newberry; Gladys Telford, of Anderson; and Janza Walker, of Inman. Back row, from left: Shelby Dominick, director of Student Activities; Lanesha Campbell-Alston, of Charleston; Jessica Dawkins, of Gaffney; and Crystal Hayward, of Newberry.

At Lander University's annual Academic and Student Life Awards ceremony, two students were recognized for their exemplary service with the university's Presidential Ambassadors organization. The students, Jalysa O'Conner, a senior elementary education major from Aiken, and Jordan Bennett, a senior nursing major from Clover, best exemplified the qualities of a Presidential Ambassador, including friendliness, cooperation and enthusiasm. Pictured, from left, are: Jennifer Mathis, Lander dean of Enrollment Management; O'Conner; Bennett; and Rodney Jones, admissions counselor.

Dr. Lorraine Angelino, a member of Lander University's adjunct faculty, received the Partners in Health Care Award at the university's annual Academic and Student Life Awards ceremony. Angelino was recognized for her efforts to assist the Student Wellness Center, which offers a variety of health care services for students, faculty and staff. Pictured, from left are Angelino and Kim Williams, staff nurse with the Student Wellness Center.